Students recreated spaces for community and dialogue in the city squares
Have you been to Brașov recently? Walking throughout the city centre, you might have noticed the original public furniture spread within four squares Apollonia Hirscher, Brassai, Paul Richter and St. John. The experimental urban objects, created as part of the HUB-IN project coordinated locally by ABMEE, are designed as a pretext for dialogue and communion, a bridge between visitors and locals in the Historic Urban Area (HUA).
Within the iterative and experiential educational innovation programme City as Classroom, in 2023, a group of pupils and students created, designed, tested, and finalised these urban furniture proposals. The prototypes were made using the elements of a Design Kit, and then went through a process of design and execution to be installed in the four squares. Scanning the QR Code, people can discover the story of each object.
“We want these pretext objects to be a welcome gesture to any passer-by. They are symbols of shared space without restrictions, without pretensions, without labels. For these reasons, we also want to know what citizens think about them. We have prepared a questionnaire they can fill out in less than 5 minutes. We will randomly select 10 respondents who will receive a set of HUB-IN promotional items” – Leea Mihăilă, ABMEE Director
Move around, chat with friends, or read a book: Try the innovative public furniture
The ”Articulated Bench” has many uses. Whether you’re taking a break, going for a solitary walk, or looking to share interesting things with friends, you’ll find the perfect space here.
The “Boat bench” represents a series of seating arrangements that resemble a boat. Designed to offer a peaceful resting spot during daily walks or tours of the HUA, amidst the bustling tourist activity.
The “Gazebo” is a simple structure that rests on the old citadel stone wall and makes use of the vegetation that grows abundantly on the wall. It provides a cool and comfortable place to stop and relax, or serves as an ideal meeting spot.
The “Pandant” takes over the overhanging vegetation on the old citadel stone wall and creates a place sheltered from the sun. Under the cover created by the pendant is a simple bench where you can rest during hot days. “Together, they create a secluded spot ideal for moments of reading or chatting with close friends, among other uses.
The “Simple Bench” was the basic solution of the City as a Classroom programme. A classic presence in the urban space, it offers a moment of rest in the usual version: an unpretentious and versatile seating place, suitable for any area of the HUA.
The “Snake Bench” is very versatile: its shape can be modified and adapted as one wishes, for a specific context. For example, if an “outdoor classroom” is needed, one can arrange the bench segments in a semicircle shape.
The “Triangles bench” is a versatile bench with an “inside”. One can use it with several friends at the same time. It also has a movable element that turns it into either a chaise-longue with a view of the Tâmpa Mountain, or a bench more suited to comfortable seating.
The “Wheelbarrow Bench” was created out of a desire to have more flexibility in choosing where to sit with friends. Basically, one can move this bench wherever they feel most comfortable.
Find out more on the Brașov’s HUB-IN here!
